University of Helsinki

General Description

Degree: This programme leads to the degree of Master of Science
Extent and Duration: 120 ECTS credits, 2 years (up to 30 ECTS credits supplementary studies if needed)
Starting Date: 1 September every second year
Language of tuition: English
Legal basis: The awarded degree is part of the university sector of Finnish higher education and is in accordance with the Finnish Universities Act (645/1997, 556/2005)

The main aim of the programme is to understand and mitigate environmental problems due to urbanisation, such as human-induced alterations to soil, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, also taking into consideration social, political and technical perspectives of environmental issues. The studies include theoretical and practical courses in ecology, environmental politics and environmental technology, emphasising urban issues. Seminar courses allow for the possibility to discuss current issues in these fields, while at the same time teaching and training the students in academic writing skills. These skills are needed for writing up an MSc Thesis, which forms a central part of the studies, alone worth 40 credits. Students are required to finish their MSc degree within two years. In addition, various other, free-choice courses are available and students have the freedom to build smaller modules based on his/her interest and specialisation, to fulfil their degree requirements.

In Lahti, the Department of Environmental Sciences produces courses in collaboration with other local university units. In Helsinki, the Department of Environmental Sciences offers versatile, high-quality teaching at the Viikki campus. Together with HENVI (Helsinki University Centre for Environment), elective, free-choice courses are also available.

After completing this Msc, students should have a broad and comprehensive view of urban environmental issues, and, ultimately be able to foster collaboration between ecologists, city planners, managers, politicians and the public. The students will be able to 'speak the languages' of these various urban interest groups, filling the demand for knowledge-sharing between them.